Advanced Construction

Materials Laboratory

(ACML)

CTIS Quick Facts• 45 faculty members • 12 departments• 6 staff members

Center for Transportation Infrastructure and Safety (CTIS)

CTIS regroups research teams with expertise in the area of buildings, civil, and power infrastructure, as well as infrastructure management.

CTIS seeks to be the primary conduit for communication among faculty members on the Missouri S&T campus interested in infrastructure studies.

CTISMission• Foster interdisciplinary R&D activities in infrastructure engineering

• Support student education in the vast field of civil engineering materials

• Promote technology transfer to the engineering community and industry

Research Objectives Develop advanced construction materials: ACML Improve transition-state fuel vehicle infrastructure

Develop non-destructive testing, monitoring, and evaluation methods of new and repaired structures

Development and testing of advanced construction materials for the 21st Century

UHPC(200 MPa)

HSC (100 MPa)

Sustainable HPC infrastructure

• Safer infrastructures (strength, ductility …)

• Faster construction• Longer service life• Cost-effective

structures• Greater use of recycled

mat. and lower GHG emissions

Roller‐compacted concrete 

Self‐consolidating  concrete

Lightweight aggregate

Fibers

Development and Use of Non-Corrosive Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in Civil Infrastructure

Missouri S&T has been a leader in the development and implementation of composite materials in the United States

PROVEN SUCCESS:Widespread Implementation of FRP in Missouri

• More than 30 new and repaired bridges in Missouri over the past decade have been built or repaired to today’s standard in Missouri

• Work has led to implementation and advancement in codes and standards (ACI, AASHTO, ...)

ACML initialed in Fall 2011

Phase I: Acquisition of Major Research Equipment in 2012

$2.5 Million

Funding Source:U.S. Department of Transportation

University Transportation Center Research Grant

Advanced Construction Materials

ACML Capabilities

Evaluation of engineering properties:

High-capacity test frame, creep, shrinkage, porosity, ...

Durability aspects:- Environmental chambers;

Freeze/thaw, De-icing scaling, ASR, Carbonation, ...

NDT monitoring:- Maturity, Impact echo, Ultrasonic,

Resistivity, …

Adequate batch/mixer system:

- High-shear mixers, Automated batch

systems, drum mixer, ...

Raw materials characterization:

- Fineness, Hydration, Density, Activation

Energy, …

Evaluation of Rheology/workability:Yield stress, Viscosity,

Thixotropy, ...

Material Characterization

Pycnometer (Ultrapyc 1200e) measures

true volume/density of solids(Archimedes’ & Boyle’s law)

Blaine Air Permeability to measure fineness of cement and powders 

(ASTM C204)

Mercy Intrusion Porosimeter –

Porosity

Heat of cement hydration and activation energy:

Calorimeters (Isothermal/semi-adiabatic)

I‐Cal 8000: Isothermal Calorimeter

F‐Cal 4000: semi‐adiabaticcalorimeter

P‐Cal 1000: portable

Concrete/Mortar BatchingEirich R09T 

Intensive Mixer

6 ft 3 and9 ft 3

Variable Speed Drum Mixers

Omni High Shear Mixer for GroutsHobart 5 QT and 

20 QT Mortar/Paste 

Mixers

150‐L Eirich Intensive Mixer (150 L):‐ Control panel with 

touch screen‐ Manual and auto 

sequence modes‐ Recipe setup‐ Mixer trending

ERL Transformation – G-6

Concrete Batching SystemFully automated planetary motion high shear concrete batching plant with dual‐mixers: 750‐L (1‐yd3) and 250‐L (1/3‐yd3) outputs 

1‐yd3 mixer 1/3‐yd3 mixer

Material Feeding System (1-yd3 mixer)

Aggregates• 3 Row-type bins of 33 yd3 capacity• 1 sand and 2 types of coarse aggregate• 1 Specialty aggregate (bin #4)• Electro-pneumatic gate, 1 vibrator• Automatic moisture probe for sand

(bin #3)

Cements/Binders• 4 Super-sacs (2,000 lbs hoppers)• Horizontal distribution screws

with pneumatic butterfly gates• Dust-free cement feeding

Admixtures• Electronic weigher• Scale type metering• 3 metering at a time• Total 6 admix.

Mixer unit• 1- and 1/3-yd3 capacity• Planetary countercurrent mixing• Automatic high-pressure washout• Detect actual w/c or• Adjust water to target w/c

Automatic Manual operation

Dust‐free batching system

Batch water correction based on sand moisture

Challenges: High-capacity crane/forkliftsMixer units

Hoist and conveyor

Cement screw conveyor Aggregate bins

Challenges: Assembly/Erection

1‐yd3 batch mixer

Need for Batching Equipment

CIES research investigators are actively involved in developing high-performance concrete (HPC) materials for use in reinforced, pre-tensioned, post-tensioned concrete applications

Casting of structural components necessitates delivery of large concrete vol. typ. 0.35 - 2 yd3 (0.3 - 1.5 m3)

Mixing and production operations: RMC suppliers within 100 mi rely on “dry batch” technology – “wet batch” is needed for HPC

Challenges to Production of Advance Materials

Unavailability of advanced materials: necessitates their incorporation on site – not reliable for HPC as small deviations from intended formulation could lead to major change in performance

Lack of consistency of RMC Quality: Tight control of batching and mixing is essential to secure consistent mixtures: not feasible for “dry batch” concrete

SCC Workability Testing

Fill Box ‐ Caisson J‐ring

L‐box

Slump FlowStatic 

Segregation

V‐Funnel

Plastic viscosity

+ SP+ water

Yie

ld st

ress

+ VMAtime

air

SF

+ SP & VMA

Variations of Rheological Parameters

RheometersAnton‐Paar MCR 302:

High‐precision (Nano torque) Coaxial/parallel plate Temperature control Pressure control (up to 400 bar) Easy of extension: module

ConTec 5: Concrete and mortar ConTec 6: Micro‐mortar

Factors on flow propertiesStatic/dynamic stabilityPumping issueQuality control

ConTec Rheomixer

Rheometers / Packing Density

Fann Viscometer 35 ICAR Portable Rheometer: field use

Gyratory Compactor ICT‐100R: packing density

ERL Transformation – Rheometer Room

ERL Transformation – Rheometer Room

ERL Transformation – G-6

Environmental ChambersASR

Deicing Salt Scaling

Carbonation

Frost durability

Scaling Environmental Chambers

De‐icing salt scaling (ASTM C672)• Chamber temperature set‐point: 0 to 73°F 

± 2°F (1 cycle/day)• Chamber humidity: 45% to 55% for 70 to 

75oF period• Dimensions: exterior (nominal): 6' W x 6’ L 

x 9' H • Modular panels with 100% poured‐in‐

place polyurethane construction (R‐value 31+)

• Panel surface finish: Interior, 316 stainless steel; 4'' urethane insulated ceiling and walls 

• Exterior surface finish: Embossed white galvanized steel

• Floor: 4" insulated, smooth 316 stainless steel, 700 lbs/sq. ft., evenly distributed.

Free and Thaw Environmental Chambers

F/T chamber (ASTM C666, Proc. A):• Chamber temperature range: 0 to 40°F (5‐6 

cycles/day)

• Rate of freezing and thawing: target temperatures within 2‐5 hrs.

• Maximum capacity : 16 specimens and 1 reference

• Specimen type and dimension: Prisms measuring 3 × 4 × 16 in.

• Maximum number of cycles per each measurement: 36

• Adjustable minimum and maximum temperature range

• Adjustable hold time on minimum and maximum temperature

Air-void System of Hardened Concrete

RapidAir 457Sample holderPolished area with 

Zinc paste

Point count – raw image

Air Void Analyzer for fresh concrete

Air-Void System of Fresh Concrete

ASR Environmental Chamber

Alkali silica reaction chamber(ASTM C1293):

• Chamber temperature set‐point: 100 to 140 °F (38 to 60°C) (±1.0°C accuracy)

• Dimensions: exterior (nominal): 8' W x 6’ L x 9' H

• Floor: 4" insulated, smooth 316 stainless steel, 700 lbs/sq. ft., evenly distributed

• Chamber construction: Modular panels with 100% poured‐in‐place polyurethane construction (R‐Value 31+), all panels to incorporate polyurethane insulation

• Panel surface finish: Interior, 316 stainless steel; 4'' urethane insulated ceiling and walls 

• Exterior surface finish: Embossed white galvanized steel

Carbonation chamber:The chamber also has functions of carbon dioxide emission control, humidification control, heating and cooling control, can set:• Carbon dioxide concentration: 0 to 20%• Temperature: 40 to 120oC with 0.5oC 

precision• Relative humidity: 0 to 100% with 3% 

precision 

• Dynamic cyclic load frame for specimens up to 6 ft. in width and 27 ft. in length:

• Force = 22 kip (100 kN)• Dynamic stroke = 6 in.

• Bryant chamber (13 x 13 ft) with temperature cycle up to 0 to 130oF

• Humidity control (up to 95% R.H.) at temperature > 60oF

ERL Transformation – G-6

MTS 315.04 Test Assembly (4,600 KN)

Performance specification:• 1 million lb. (4,600 kN) in compression• ½ million lb. (2,300 kN) in tension• Actuator displacement: 4 in. (100 mm)• Stiffness: 60 million lb/in• Max. test space: 41 to 46 in. height, 27 in. width

Design features:• LVDT stroke transducer• Differential pressure transducer for force measurement• MTS Model 298.11 Hydraulic Service Manifold

- Close-coupled accumulators allowing maximum high frequency response of servo-valve

- Modified for use with uneven piston area actuator assemblies

- Maximum operating pressure: 3000 psi• FlexTest 60 digital control: real-time close-loop control

with transducer conditioning and function generation to drive various types of servo-actuators

Instron 5965 Universal Testing System (5 kN)

In combination with Instron Bluehill Software, Instron 5965 provides high performance, flexibility, accuracy, and usability.

Full range of grips, fixtures, and strain measurement devices are available.

ZoneCure ‐Wireless Concrete Maturity System

Impact Echo System Pundit ‐ Ultrasonic

Nondestructive Testing

Resipod –electrical resistivity

Nondestructive Testing

Mini Great Dane –half‐cell potential of uncoated reinforcing steel in concrete / the electrical resistance of 

cover concrete

PCI‐88‐Channel Acoustic Emission System

Remote Sensing Vibrometer RSV-150

Applications:Remote measurements of the vibrations of various high-rise structures or high temperature structures.

Specifications: Dual Class 2 laser and long-range lens Minimum stand-off distance: 5 m.

Operating temperature is 41 - 104 °F Laser spot spatial resolution: 7.5 mm at

100 m distance 765 × 582 pixels camera

Will associate the University with landmark projects

Will foster technology transfer

Impact of ACMLWill position Missouri S&T at the leading edge of knowledge creation and economic development in the growing field of advanced construction materials

• Industry: CoreSlab, CTL, …• Academic institutions: UMC,

UIUC, …• Government: DOTs, FHWA, …• International partners:

Sherbrooke, Canada, Queen’s of Belfast, U.K., Hunan U., China, …

Impact of ACMLWill attract greater collaboration with industry, academia, and government

Will provide experiential learning opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in a state-of-the-art laboratory setting

Will significantly enhance the teaching mission at Missouri S&T by positively impacting over 700 students each year

Impact of ACML

Wide dissemination of new scientific and technological knowledge and experience

• Involve industry in research and education activities• Encourage student participation in professional societies

Broader Impacts

Benefits to society• Provide information to

federal and state agencies for policy formulation, building code regulations, specifications, …

The ACML is Open for Business!